Ryan Nitzen | July 8, 2023
We’re back at the sands of Southwick today for round six of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship at The Wick 338. The deep sand and huge braking bumps make this arguably the most demanding track on the circuit for both the riders and their machines.
At the end of today’s racing, Jett Lawrence continues his win streak with another 1-1 overall. The 250’s saw much more drama as Tom Vialle claimed his first overall while Haiden Deegan took over the points lead.
Welcome to The Wick! Photo: Alex Kelly
450MX
Moto 1
Jett Lawrence didn’t get the holeshot this time around but he still ended up in the lead by the second turn. The 450 rookie continued his dominance by leading every lap and taking another moto win. For a time, Chase Sexton got within two seconds, but Lawrence eventually stretched the lead to seven seconds.
Sexton with the holeshot in moto one. Photo: Alex Kelly
Sexton looked good for second in the first moto. He held off his Honda teammate for the holeshot but quickly handed the lead over on lap one. Sexton stayed close for most of the race but made a few mistakes and let Lawrence slip away.
Smooth sailing for Jett Lawrence. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Dylan Ferrandis took third. He battled with Ty Masterpool during the opening laps and eventually found his way around the Kawasaki privateer. At that point, the gap to Sexton was insurmountable and the Yamaha man settled for the final spot on the box.
Ferrandis and Masterpool slugged it out for a few laps. Photo: Alex Kelly
Moto 2
In the second moto, Dylan Ferrandis grabbed the holeshot and looked to battle Jett Lawrence early on. Ferrandis has been gaining momentum as of late but he quickly relinquished the lead on the opening lap. He continued to battle with Sexton for much of the first half, but later finished third. 3-3 gives Ferrandis third on the day.
The French riders have their holeshots down pat. Ferrandis executes in moto two. Photo: Alex Kelly
Jett Lawrence quickly took over the lead on lap one and rode away with another win. Sexton looked to be closing in on Lawrence for a time but the number-18 felt the pressure and proceeded to pick up the pace. He set his fastest laps of the race near the half-way mark and walked away with a double-digit win. Another perfect day for the rookie.
Jett made it look easy. Another perfect day for the 18. Photo: Alex Kelly
Sexton rode strong in the second moto to finish second. He started outside the podium but marched his way up behind Ferrandis in the early stages. He then used a fast outside line to get around Ferrandis for the second spot. Sexton moves up a spot in the overall from last week’s result with a 2-2 day.
450 Podium.
450MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2-2 |
| 3. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
3-3 |
| 4. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
4-4 |
| 5. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
10-5 |
| 6. |
Jose Butron |
(GG) |
9-6 |
| 7. |
Chris Canning |
(GG) |
8-7 |
| 8. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
7-8 |
| 9. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
5-10 |
| 10. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
6-14 |
250MX
Moto 1
Justin Cooper grabbed the holeshot and the early lead in the first 250 moto. He stayed up front for the first 25 minutes of the race but tipped over late in the moto and handed the lead over to Tom Vialle. Cooper was uninjured and remounted for second.
Justin Cooper led almost all of the first moto. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Vialle stalked Cooper from the get go and pounced once Cooper fell. He led the last six laps to take his first win on American soil. The Southwick sand track tends to suit the European riders and this time was no different. Vialle is now the favorite going into moto two.
Vialle took over the lead and the moto one win. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
RJ Hampshire did what he does and charged back from a poor start to finish third. He looked strong in the sand and went on for the moto podium. Look for him to break his streak of no overall podiums here at The Wick.
Hampshire battled to third. Photo: Alex Kelly
Hunter Lawrence suffered a mechanical failure late in the race and did not finish the moto. He ran fourth, just ahead of Haiden Deegan before getting credited with 25th place and no championship points. Deegan on the other hand, had a small tip over of his own but finished fourth and therefore takes over the championship lead.
Tough go for Hunter Lawrence as his bike let go late in the first 250 moto. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Moto 2
Tom Vialle rocketed out of the gate in the second moto with some extra confidence from the moto one victory. He led the first five laps before getting passed by Jo Shimoda and later Justin Cooper. It was a nail-biter finish with Cooper, Vialle, and Hampshire all battling for the final spots on the podium. Vialle eventually finished third in the moto but claimed the overall win with 1-3 scores. This marks the Frenchman’s first overall win in the US.
Big holeshot for Vialle in race two. Photo: Alex Kelly
Justin Cooper finished second in the second moto, giving him second overall. The Yamaha rider stalked Shimoda for most of the race and made a run for the lead with only a few minutes left on the clock. He maxed out his energy and tipped over, solidifying Shimoda’s hold on the lead.
Cooper made a run late in moto two but settled for second. Photo: Alex Kelly
Jo Shimoda took his first moto win of the year. The Kawasaki rider got a great start and stayed close to Vialle for the first five laps before making his move for the lead. From there, Shimoda held the top spot and led the final nine laps of the moto. His 6-1 scores earn him third overall for the day.
Shimoda passed Vialle and held on for this first win of the season. Photo: Alex Kelly
Both Hunter Lawrence and Haiden Deegan had poor results in the second moto. Lawrence struggled with an eighth place finish, going 26-8 for 13th overall. Deegan fell again in the second race and finished 10th. 4-10 gave him sixth overall. The rookie now leads the championship points by five over Lawrence.
250 Podium.
250MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
1-3 |
| 2. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2-2 |
| 3. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
6-1 |
| 4. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
3-4 |
| 5. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
7-5 |
| 6. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
4-10 |
| 7. |
Maximus Vohland |
(KTM) |
8-6 |
| 8. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
5-9 |
| 9. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Hus) |
11-7 |
| 10. |
Caden Braswell |
(GG) |
9-11 |
QUALIFYING
450MX
Jett Lawrence topped the charts again this morning by getting out front early and taking full advantage of the first qualifying session. His time was over two seconds better than anyone else on track. Jett again set the best lap in the second qualifying session, this time only one second better than second place. Chase Sexton was second best in both sessions with Dylan Ferrandis going third fastest.
Jett skied it early in the day to get the fastest lap. Photos: Alex Kelly
Chase Sexton was second behind his teammate, two seconds back. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Ferrandis looked good for third.
Cianciarulo put in a good lap for fourth. Also note the new Fox helmet.
Ty Masterpool rounded out the top five.
450MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:05.422 |
| 2. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2:07.630 |
| 3. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
2:08.371 |
| 4. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
2:08.957 |
| 5. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
2:09.268 |
| 6. |
Chris Canning |
(GG) |
2:09.322 |
| 7. |
Anton Cole |
(Hus) |
2:09.425 |
| 8. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
2:09.722 |
| 9. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
2:10.054 |
| 10. |
Freddie Noren |
(Suz) |
2:10.602 |
250MX
Southwick always brings something unique to the qualifying sessions. This year, Jimmy Decotis is back for his hometown race and set the best time in the early B group when the track was at its best. Jimmy D retired five years ago due to Lyme Disease but says he’s healthy enough to race today. Justin Cooper also grabbed his best time in the first A group, two seconds faster than Hunter Lawrence. If you want to get technical, RJ Hampshire was the fastest rider of the second session, when the track is closest to race conditions. His time was nearly a full three seconds better than anyone else.
Jimmy Decotis is back! The Rippa is out of retirement for his hometown race and set the fastest time in the first practice with a 2:06.592. Photo: Alex Kelly.
Jimmy D was pumped to get the best quali time.
Justin Cooper was second fastest.
Hunter Lawrence still grabbed the third best time.
RJ Hampshire was fastest in the second session but fourth overall.
Jalek Swoll clocked fifth.
250MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
James Decotis |
(KTM) |
2:06.592 |
| 2. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2:06.810 |
| 3. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:08.267 |
| 4. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
2:08.594 |
| 5. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Hus) |
2:08.727 |
| 6. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
2:08.741 |
| 7. |
Maximus Vohland |
(KTM) |
2:09.470 |
| 8. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
2:09.892 |
| 9. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
2:09.984 |
| 10. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
2:10.032 |
Pics From The Pits
The three-digit locals always come out in full force. Photo: Alex Kelly
Under the Honda tent. Hunter Lawrence is back after a big first turn crash at Red Bud. Check out the big carbon tank. Photo: Alex Kelly
